mammogram, thermogram, both?

[Ann.without.an.e]

My doctor is suggesting that I mammogram every 5 years and thermogram in between.  I have never done either.  She feels that annual mammogram is too much radiation, but every 5 years is good.  She prefers thermogram.  

What does the Hive know and think about this subject?  I am honestly clueless.  

[scholastica]

I would want to know what's covered by insurance. Annual basic mammography is covered by most insurance plans by law. Is thermography covered the same way? At all? 

I'm no help on actual thermography. I have no experience, but definitely look into what your insurance will do with it, as well.

[iamonlyone]

I have switched to thermography because my breast tissue is so dense they always did a mammogram and then an ultrasound anyway. (The X-ray looked solid white, so it wasn't helpful.) Mammograms are painful for me (fibrocystic breasts), I don't love the idea of the radiation and of the question of whether or not the pressure could cause issues, and there is no history of breast cancer in my family. So, for me, using thermography as a good source for early detection makes sense. If there is ever a questionable area, then I would have other follow-up tests. However, thermography is not covered by my insurance.

[wintermom]

I'd never heard of thermogram technology. This is what the Canadian Cancer Society states (I just noticed that this is from 2016, so there may be more recent info):

Canadian Cancer Society's perspective on thermography

07 December 2016

 

Some businesses and private clinics promote the use of thermography as a way to screen women under the age of 50 for breast cancer.  

Our perspective

The Canadian Cancer Society believes that current evidence doesn’t show that thermography is an effective tool to detect breast cancer and therefore, we do not recommend thermography as a screening tool for breast cancer. 

Background

Thermography, also known as digital infrared thermal imaging, is a non-invasive test that uses an infrared camera to produce images (thermograms) that record temperature and blood vessel patterns. Thermography is based on the idea that the temperature of abnormal cells is higher than normal breast tissue due to increased blood flow.

Supporters of thermography argue that because this tool doesn’t use radiation, it is safer than mammography. Although mammograms do result in some exposure to medical radiation, it is minimal and the benefits of regular screening by mammogram far outweigh the risk of the radiation exposure. Current high-quality research hasn’t shown that thermography is an effective tool to detect breast cancer early and doesn’t suggest that thermography should replace mammography.

The Society is concerned about thermography testing because:

• When businesses and private clinics promote it as an effective screening test for breast cancer, this creates a confusing message for women. 
• Women who have the test may have a false sense of security about their breast health. 

The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to sharing important information about breast screening with Canadian women. We will continue to closely monitor research findings about breast cancer screening and will update our screening recommendations if needed. The most reliable way of finding breast cancer early is screening mammography.
 

[6wildhorses]

Here's a link with info about thermograms: https://www.drnorthrup.com/best-breast-cancer-screening-tests/ 

I've had 2 thermograms. The thermogram center I went to gave me tips to help me reduce my risk. When I did a follow-up thermogram, my risk had decreased. Some of the things I did include stress-management, Reiki, and yoga. Even though my risk had decreased, it was still high, so I've since added CBD oil.

Edited September 6, 2018 by 6wildhorses
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